Mobility management method, serving GPRS support node or mobility management entity, and terminal

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a mobility management method, a serving GPRS support node or mobility management entity (SGSN/MME), and a terminal to solve the problem of setting or dynamically modifying the mobility management frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals. The technical solution of the present invention includes: obtaining subscription data of a terminal, where the subscription data carries periodic routing area update or tracking area update (RAU/TAU) setting information; obtaining a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information; sending the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal to the terminal; and setting a value that is a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal as a mobile reachable timer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. The embodiments of the present invention may be applied in low-mobility machine-type communication.

This application is a continuation of international Application No.PCT/CN2011/070053, filed on Jan. 6, 2011, which claims priority toChinese Patent Application No, 201010003404.8, filed on Jan. 11, 2010,both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the mobile communication field, and inparticular, to a mobility management method, a serving GPRS support nodeor mobility management entity, and a terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a conventional mobility management (Mobility Management, MM)technology, a terminal, such as a user equipment (User Equipment, UE) ora mobile station (Mobile Station, MS), performs a periodic routing areaupdate (Routing Area Update, RAU) or tracking area update (Tracking AreaUpdate, TAU), and the RAU/TAU interval (or known as a periodic RAU/TAUtimer) is controlled by a serving GPRS support node (Service GPRSSupport Node, SGSN) or a mobility management entity (Mobility ManagementEntity; MME), where the RAU is performed with the SGSN and the TAU isperformed with the MME.

The SGSN/MME may send a periodic RAU/TAU timer (Periodic RAU/TAU Timer)to the terminal through an Attach Accept (Attach Accept) or RAU/TAUAccept (RAU/TAU Accept) message, and this timer is unique in one routingarea (Routing Area, RA) or in one tracking area identity (Tracking AreaIdentity, TAI) list, that is, all terminals in a certain area use thesame timer.

The terminal runs the periodic RAU/TAU timer locally, and upon expiry ofthe timer, the terminal initiates a periodic RAU/TAU procedure andrestarts the timer. Accordingly, the SGSN/MME has a mobile reachabletimer (Mobile Reachable Timer), and this timer is a little longer thanthe Periodic RAU/TAU Timer (for example, 20 seconds or 1 minute longer),and is used for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU procedure of theterminal. If the mobile reachable timer expires, the SGSN/MME clears apaging proceed flag (Paging Proceed Flag, PPF) to zero, so that theSGSN/MME does not perform terminal paging.

When implementing the present invention, the inventor discovers that theconventional mobility management technology cannot set or dynamicallymodify the mobility management frequency of a particular terminal amongnumerous terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a mobility managementmethod and an SGSN/MME, which can set or dynamically modify the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the embodiments of the presentinvention adopt the following technical solution:

A mobility management method includes: obtaining subscription data of aterminal, where the subscription data carries periodic RAU/TAU settinginformation; obtaining a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information; sending theperiodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal to the terminal; and setting avalue, which is a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal, as a mobile reachable timer for monitoring a periodic RAU/TAUof the terminal.

An SGSN/MME includes: a subscription data obtaining unit, configured toobtain subscription data of a terminal, where the subscription datacarries periodic. RAU/TAU setting information; a timer obtaining unit,configured to obtain a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal accordingto the periodic RAU/TAU setting information; a timer sending unit,configured to send the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal to theterminal; and a setting unit, configured to set a value, which is alittle longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as amobile reachable timer for monitoring a periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal.

The mobility management method and the SGSN/MME according to theembodiments of the present invention obtain the periodic RAU/TAU settinginformation of the network with respect to the terminal through thesubscription data, obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information, and send theperiodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminal, and meanwhile set a value, whichis a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as amobility reachable timer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal, thereby achieving the objective of setting or dynamicallymodifying the mobility management frequency of a particular terminal,and solving the problem that the prior art cannot set or dynamicallymodify the mobility management frequency of a particular terminal amongnumerous terminals.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide a mobilitymanagement method and an SGSN/MME, which can set or dynamically modify amobility management frequency of a particular terminal among numerousterminals.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the embodiments of the presentinvention adopt the following technical solution:

A mobility management method includes: obtaining subscription data of aterminal, where the subscription data carries a periodic RAU/TAUdeactivation indicator; sending deactivation information of a periodicRAU/TAU timer to the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAUdeactivation indicator; and stopping a mobile reachable timer so as tostop monitoring a periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

An SGSN/MME includes: a subscription data obtaining unit, configured toobtain subscription data of a terminal, where the subscription datacarries a periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator; a deactivationinformation sending unit, configured to send deactivation information ofa periodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminal according to the periodicRAU/TAU deactivation indicator; and a stopping unit, configured to stopa mobile reachable timer so as to stop monitoring a periodic RAU/TAU ofthe terminal.

The mobility management method and the SGSN/MME according to theembodiments of the present invention obtain the periodic RAU/TAUdeactivation indicator of the network with respect to the terminalthrough the subscription data, send the deactivation information of theperiodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAUdeactivation indicator, and meanwhile stop the mobile reachable timer soas to stop monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. Thereby, themobility management frequency of a particular terminal may be decreased,the utilization of network resources may be improved, the objective ofsetting or dynamically modifying the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal is achieved, and the problem that the prior artcannot set or dynamically modify the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal among numerous terminals is solved.

For the terminal, the embodiments of the present invention provide amobility management method and a terminal, which can set or dynamicallymodify, in cooperation with the network, the mobility managementfrequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the embodiments of the presentinvention adopt the following technical solution:

A mobility management method includes: receiving a periodic RAU/TAUtimer from an SGSN/MME, where the periodic RAU/TAU timer is obtained bythe SGSN/MME according to periodic RAU/TAU setting information insubscription data; and executing a periodic RAU/TAU according to thereceived periodic RAU/TAU timer.

A terminal includes: a timer receiving unit, configured to receive aperiodic RAU/TAU timer from an SGSN/MME, where the periodic RAU/TAUtimer is obtained by the SGSN/MME according to periodic RAU/TAU settinginformation in subscription data; and a RAU/TAU executing unit;configured to execute a periodic RAU/TAU according to the receivedperiodic RAU/TAU timer.

In the mobility management method and the terminal according to theembodiments of the present invention, the terminal receives the periodicRAU/TAU timer that is obtained by the SGSN/MME according to the periodicRAU/TAU setting information in the subscription data, and executes aperiodic. RAU/TAU according to the received periodic RAU/TAU timer.Thereby, the terminal can set or dynamically modify, in cooperation withthe network, the mobility management frequency of a particular terminalamong numerous terminals.

For the terminal, the embodiments of the present invention also providea mobility management method and a terminal, which can set ordynamically modify, in cooperation with the network, the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the embodiments of the presentinvention adopt the following technical solution:

A mobility management method includes: receiving deactivationinformation of a periodic RAU/TAU timer from an SGSN/MME, where thedeactivation information is sent by the SGSN/MME according to a periodicRAU/TAU deactivation indicator in subscription data; and stoppingexecuting a periodic RAU/TAU according to the received deactivationinformation of the periodic RAU/TAU timer.

A terminal includes: a deactivation information receiving unit,configured to receive deactivation information of a periodic RAU/TAUtimer from an SGSN/MME, where the deactivation information is sent bythe SGSN/MME according to a periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator insubscription data; and a RAU/TAU stopping unit, configured to stopexecuting a periodic RAU/TAU according to the deactivation informationof the periodic RAU/TAU timer received by the deactivation informationreceiving unit.

In the mobility management method and the terminal according to theembodiments of the present invention, the terminal receives thedeactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer that is sent bythe SGSN/MME according to the periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator inthe subscription data, and stops executing the periodic RAU/TAUaccording to the received deactivation information of the periodicRAU/TAU timer. Thereby, the terminal can set or dynamically modify, incooperation with the network, the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal among numerous terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To make the technical solution of the embodiments of the presentinvention clearer, the accompanying drawings used in the description ofthe embodiments are briefly described below. Evidently, the accompanyingdrawings illustrate only some exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention and persons skilled in the art may obtain other drawings basedon these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a mobility management method according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first schematic structural diagram of an SGSN/MME accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second schematic structural diagram of an SGSN/MME accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another mobility management method according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a first schematic structural diagram of another SGSN/MMEaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a second schematic structural diagram of another SGSN/MMEaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart of a mobility management method according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sequence chart of a mobility management method according toa second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sequence chart of a mobility management method according toa third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sequence chart of an embodiment for activating a periodicRAU/TAU of a terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of another embodiment for activating aperiodic RAU/TAU of a terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a mobility management method for a terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a first flowchart of another mobility management method for aterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a second flowchart of another mobility management method fora terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a first schematic structural diagram of another terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a second schematic structural diagram of another terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention isdescribed clearly in the following with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is evident thatthe described embodiments are only some exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, rather than all embodiments of the present invention.All other embodiments that persons skilled in the art obtain withoutcreative efforts based on the embodiments of the present invention alsofall within the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a mobility management method according to anembodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

Step 11: Obtain subscription data of a terminal, where the subscriptiondata carries periodic RAU/TAU setting information.

An SGSN/MME may use one of the following two ways to obtain the periodicRAU/TAU setting information of the terminal from a home locationregister (Home Location Register, HLR) or home subscriber server (HomeSubscriber Server HSS):

First way: In the attach procedure of the terminal, when the SGSN/MMEreceives an Attach Request from the terminal, the SGSN/MME sends anUpdate Location message to the HLR/HSS and receives the subscriptiondata sent by the HLR/HSS, where the subscription data carries theperiodic RAU/TAU setting information.

Second way: If the terminal has attached, when the HLR/HSS needs toreset the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, the HLR/HSS sends newsubscription data to the SGSN/MME, where the subscription data carriesthe periodic RAU/TAU setting information. The scenarios where theHLR/HSS resets the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal include a scenariowhere the HLR/HSS has previously set the periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal or a scenario where the terminal uses a normal periodic RAU/TAUtimer.

The periodic RAU/TAU setting information carried in the subscriptiondata includes:

A1. a multiplication factor of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer; or

B1. a specified periodic RAU/TAU timer; or

C1. an increment value of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

In any one of the above ways, the message (Insert Subscriber Data) usedby the conventional HLR/HSS for sending the subscription data to theSGSN/MME needs to be enhanced. For example, a parameter Periodic RAU/TAUTimer Multiplication Factor is added, 8-bit coding is used, and themultiplication factor takes a value from 0 to 255 (0 may be used toindicate that the periodic RAU/TAU is deactivated). For example, aparameter Predefined Periodic RAU/TAU Timer is added, and 8-bit codingis used, where 5 bits represent a timer value and 3 bits define a unitof the timer value, such as 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. Forexample, a parameter Periodic RAU/TAU Timer Increment is added torepresent an increment value for the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 12: Obtain a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal according tothe periodic RAU/TAU setting information.

After the SGSN/MME receives the periodic RAU/TAU setting information ofthe terminal, the following three possible processing ways may be usedto obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal:

A2, when the periodic RAU/TAU setting information is a multiplicationfactor of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, obtaining the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer and multiplying the normal periodic RAU/TAU timerwith the multiplication factor to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer ofthe terminal; or

B2, when the periodic RAU/TAU setting information is a specifiedperiodic RAU/TAU timer, directly using the specified periodic RAU/TAUtimer as the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal; or

C2, when the periodic RAU/TAU setting information is an increment valueof the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, obtaining the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer and adding the increment value to the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

Step 13: Send the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal to theterminal.

Corresponding to the two ways for the SGSN/MME to obtain the periodicRAU/TAU setting information of the terminal, the following two ways maybe used by the SGSN/MME to send the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal to the terminal:

First way: In the attach procedure of the terminal, the SGSN/MME, sendsan Attach Accept message to the terminal, where the Attach Acceptmessage carries the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

Second way: If the terminal has attached, the SGSN/MME sends a RAU/TAUAccept message to the terminal, where the RAU/TAU Accept message carriesthe periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

It should be noted that in order to support a longer RAU/TAU intervalthan that of the prior art, the value unit part of the conventionalgeneral packet radio service (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS) timerinformation element (Information Element, IE) may be enhanced. Theconventional GPRS Timer IE is defined as follows (excerpted from 3GPP TS24.008):

where, Timer value (octet 2) Bits 5 to 1 represent the binary codedtimer value. (Bits 1 to 5 represent the binary timer value.) Bits 6 to 8define the timer value unit for the GPRS timer as follows (Bits 6 to 8define the timer value unit for the GPRS timer as follows): Bits 8 7 6 00 0 value is incremented in multiples of 2 seconds (value is incrementedin multiples of 2 seconds) 0 0 1 value is incremented in multiples of 1minute (value is incremented in multiples of 1 minute) 0 1 0 value isincremented in multiples of decihours (value is incremented in multiplesof decihours) 1 1 1 value indicates that the timer is deactivated (valueindicates that the timer is deactivated) Other values shall beinterpreted as multiples of 1 minute in this version of the protocol(Other values shall be interpreted as multiples of 1 minute in thisversion of the protocol).

Specifically, the present invention may define several new coded valuesfor the timer value unit (Timer Value Unit) to obtain a bigger timeunit. For example, value unit codes 011, 100, 101, and 110 may be addedand are respectively defined as follows: 011 means that the unit is 1hour, 100 means that the unit is 10 hours, 101 means that the unit is100 hours, and 110 means that the unit is 1000 hours; or 011 means thatthe unit is 1 hour, 100 means that the unit is 1 day, 101 means that theunit is 1 week, 110 means that the unit is 1 month, and so on. All thesenewly added value units are bigger than the conventional maximum valueunit, that is, 6 minutes.

Step 14: Set a value that is a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAUtimer of the terminal as a mobile reachable timer for monitoring theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

As with the conventional mobility management method, the SGSN/MME needsto set a value, which is a little longer than the periodic RAU/TAU timerof the terminal, as the mobile reachable timer for monitoring theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. If the mobile reachable timer expires,the SGSN/MME clears a paging proceed flag PPF to zero, so that theSGSN/MME does not perform terminal paging.

The mobility management method according to this embodiment of thepresent invention obtains the periodic RAU/TAU setting information ofthe network with respect to the terminal through the subscription data,obtains the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal according to theperiodic RAU/TAU setting information, and sends the periodic RAU/TAUtimer to the terminal, and meanwhile sets a value, which is a littlelonger than the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as a mobilityreachable timer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal,thereby achieving the objective of setting or dynamically modifying themobility management frequency of a particular terminal, and solving theproblem that the prior art cannot set or dynamically modify the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.In addition, by setting or dynamically modifying the periodic RAU/TAUtimer of a particular terminal to a RAU/TAU interval that is longer thanthe normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, the utilization of the networkresources may be improved.

Based on the mobility management method according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the presentinvention provides an SGSN/MME, including:

a subscription data obtaining unit 21, configured to obtain subscriptiondata of a terminal, where the subscription data carries periodic RAU/TAUsetting information;

a timer obtaining unit 22, configured to obtain a periodic RAU/TAU timerof the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information;

a timer sending unit 23, configured to send the periodic RAU/TAU timerof the terminal to the terminal; and

a setting unit 24, configured to set a value, which is a little longerthan the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as a mobile reachabletimer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the subscription data obtaining unit 21 mayinclude:

a first obtaining subunit 211, configured to send, after receiving anAttach Request from the terminal, an Update Location message to anHLR/HSS, and receive the subscription data sent by the HLR/HSS, wherethe subscription data carries the periodic RAU/TAU setting information;or

a second obtaining subunit 212, configured to receive, when the HLR/HSSresets the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, the subscription data sentby the HLR/HSS, where the subscription data carries the periodic RAU/TAUsetting information.

The timer obtaining unit 22 may include any one of the followingsubunits:

a first obtaining subunit 221, configured to obtain, when the periodicRAU/TAU setting information is a multiplication factor of a normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer, the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer and multiplythe normal periodic RAU/TAU timer with the multiplication factor toobtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal;

a second obtaining subunit 222, configured to directly use, when theperiodic RAU/TAU setting information is a specified periodic RAU/TAUtimer, the specified periodic RAU/TAU timer as the periodic RAU/TAUtimer of the terminal; or

a third obtaining subunit 223, configured to obtain, when the periodicRAU/TAU setting information is an increment value of the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer, the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer and add the incrementvalue to the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer to obtain the periodicRAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

Corresponding to the subunits included in the subscription dataobtaining unit 21, the timer sending unit 23 may include:

a first sending subunit 231, configured to send an Attach Accept messageto the terminal, where the Attach Accept message carries the periodicRAU/TAU timer of the terminal; or

a second sending subunit 232, configured to send a RAU/TAU Acceptmessage to the terminal, where the RAU/TAU Accept message carries theperiodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

For the specific implementation method of the SGSN/MME; according to theembodiment of the present invention, reference may be made to themobility management method according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, which is not described here again.

In the SGSN/MME according to this embodiment of the present invention,the subscription data obtaining unit 21 obtains the periodic RAU/TAUsetting information of the network with respect to the terminal, thetimer obtaining unit 22 obtains the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information, and thetimer sending unit 23 sends the periodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminal,and meanwhile the setting unit 24 sets a value, which is a little longerthan the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as a mobility reachabletimer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, therebyachieving the objective of setting or dynamically modifying the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal, and solving the problemthat the prior art cannot set or dynamically modify the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

As shown in FIG. 4, another mobility management method according to anembodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

Step 41: Obtain subscription data of a terminal, where the subscriptiondata carries a periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator.

The SGSN/MME may use one of the following two ways to obtain theperiodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator of the terminal from theHLR/HSS:

First way: In the attach procedure of the terminal, when the SGSN/MMEreceives an Attach Request from the terminal, the SGSN/MME sends anUpdate Location message to the HLR/HSS and receives the subscriptiondata sent by the HLR/HSS, where the subscription data carries theperiodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator.

Second way: If the terminal has attached, when the HLR/HSS needs toreset the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, the HLR/HSS sends newsubscription data to the SGSN/MME, where the subscription data carriesthe periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator. The scenarios where theHLR/HSS resets the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal include a scenariowhere the HLR/HSS has previously set the periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal or a scenario where the terminal uses a normal periodic RAU/TAUtimer.

The periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator carried in the subscriptiondata may be a deactivation indicator of the periodic RAU/TAU timer or avalue of the periodic RAU/TAU timer that is set to zero. At this time,the SGSN/MME skips the operation of obtaining the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer.

Step 42: Send the deactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timerto the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU deactivationindicator.

The SGSN/MME may use either of the following ways to send thedeactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminalaccording to the received periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator of theterminal:

The used value unit of the periodic RAU/TAU timer indicates that thetimer is deactivated, for example, the value unit of the periodicRAU/TAU timer may be set to a binary value “111” (timer value unit=111);

or, the value of the periodic RAU/TAU timer is set to zero (timervalue=0).

Step 43: Stop the mobile reachable timer so as to stop monitoring theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

At this time, the SGSN/MME stops the mobile reachable timer and stopsmonitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

Optionally, when the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal needs to bereactivated, the HLR/TAU may modify the subscription data in theSGSN/MME to activate the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. Therefore,the mobility management method according to the embodiment of thepresent invention may also include the following:

The SGSN/MME obtains the subscription data of the terminal again, wherethe subscription data carries a periodic RAU/TAU activation indicator;and the SGSN/MME activates the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU activation indicator.

The SGSN/MME may use one of the following two ways to activate theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAUactivation indicator:

First way: The SGSN/MME sends a Detach Request message to the terminalto instruct the terminal to re-initiate an attach procedure, andactivate the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal through the attachprocedure re-initiated by the terminal.

Specifically, after receiving the Attach Request of the terminal, theSGSN/MME obtains the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, and sends an AttachAccept message to the terminal, where the Attach Accept message carriesthe normal periodic RAU/TAU timer; and then, the SGSN/MME sets a value,which is a little longer than the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, as amobile reachable timer for monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal.

Second way: After receiving the RAU/TAU Request initiated by theterminal, the SGSN/MME activates the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminalthrough the RAU/TAU Accept message.

Specifically, after receiving the RAU/TAU Request initiated by theterminal, the SGSN/MME obtains the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer, andsends a RAU/TAU Accept message to the terminal, where the RAU/TAU Acceptmessage carries the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer; and then, theSGSN/MME sets a value, which is a little longer than the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer, as a mobile reachable timer for monitoring the periodicRAU/TAU of the terminal.

The mobility management method according to the embodiment of thepresent invention obtains the periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator ofthe network with respect to the terminal through the subscription data,sends the deactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer to theterminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator, andmeanwhile stops the mobile reachable timer so as to stop monitoring theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. As a result, the mobility managementfrequency of a particular terminal may be decreased, and the utilizationof network resources is improved. In addition, when the network needs toactivate the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, the subscription data inthe SGSN/MME may be modified again, thereby achieving the objective ofsetting or dynamically modifying the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal, and solving the problem that the prior art cannotset or dynamically modify the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal among numerous terminals.

Based on the mobility management method according to the embodiment ofthe present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, an embodiment of the presentinvention provides another SGSN/MME, including:

a subscription data obtaining unit 51, configured to obtain subscriptiondata of a terminal, where the subscription data carries a periodicRAU/TAU deactivation indicator;

a deactivation information sending unit 52, configured to senddeactivation information of a periodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator; and

a stopping unit 53, configured to stop a mobile reachable timer so as tostop monitoring the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the SGSN/MME may also include:

a subscription data re-obtaining unit 61, configured to re-obtain thesubscription data of the terminal, where the subscription data carries aperiodic RAU/TAU activation indicator; and

an activation processing unit 62, configured to activate the periodicRAU/TAU of the terminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU activationindicator.

And further, the activation processing unit 62 may include:

a first activation processing subunit 621, configured to send a DetachRequest message to the terminal to instruct the terminal to re-initiatean attach procedure, and activate the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminalthrough the attach procedure re-initiated by the terminal; or

a second activation processing subunit 622, configured to activate,after receiving the RAU/TAU Request initiated by the terminal, theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal through the RAU/TAU Accept message.

For the specific implementation method of the SGSN/MME according to thisembodiment of the present invention, reference may be made to anothermobility management method according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, which is not described here again.

In the SGSN/MME according to this embodiment of the present invention,the subscription data obtaining unit 51 obtains the periodic RAU/TAUdeactivation indicator of the network with respect to the terminal, thedeactivation information sending unit 52 sends the deactivationinformation of the periodic RAU/TAU timer to the terminal according tothe periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator, and meanwhile the stoppingunit 53 stops the mobile reachable timer so as to stop monitoring theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. As a result, the mobility managementfrequency of a particular terminal may be decreased, and the utilizationof network resources may be improved. In addition, when the networkneeds to activate the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal, the subscriptiondata re-obtaining unit 61 may obtain the periodic RAU/TAU activationindicator of the network with respect to the terminal, and theactivation processing unit 62 activates the periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal according to the periodic RAU/TAU activation indicator, therebyachieving the objective of setting or dynamically modifying the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal, and solving the problemthat the prior art cannot set or dynamically modify the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to understand the technicalsolution of the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, themobility management method according to the embodiments of the presentinvention is described below in detail with reference to specificembodiments.

First Embodiment:

In the attach procedure of the terminal, the SGSN/MME obtains thesubscription data from the HLR/HSS, where the subscription datainstructs the SGSN/MME to deliver a special periodic RAU/TAU timer (asopposed to the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer) to the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mobility management method according to thisembodiment includes the following steps:

Step 71: The terminal initiates an Attach Request (Attach Request) tothe SGSN/MME.

Step 72: The SGSN/MME sends an Update Location (Update Location) messageto the HLR/HSS.

Step 73: The HLR/HSS sends an Insert Subscriber Data (Insert SubscriberData) message (the subscriber data is known as subscription data) to theSGSN/MME, where the message carries the periodic RAU/TAU settinginformation.

The periodic RAU/TAU setting information may take any one of thefollowing three ways: a. a multiplication factor of the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer; b. directly giving a specified periodic RAU/TAU timer;and c. an increment value of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 74: The SGSN/MME obtains a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information.

There are three possible ways for the SGSN/MME to process the receivedperiodic RAU/TAU setting information: a. obtaining the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer, and multiplying the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer withthe multiplication factor to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal; b. directly using the specified periodic RAU/TAU timer as theperiodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal; and c. obtaining the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer, and adding the increment value to the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal.

Step 75: The SGSN/MME sends an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) message to the HLR/HSS.

Step 76: The HLR/HSS sends an Update Location Ack (Update Location Ack)message to the SGSN/MME.

Step 77: The SGSN/MME sends an Attach Accept (Attach Accept) message tothe terminal, where the message carries the periodic RAU/TAU timer ofthe terminal.

Step 78: The SGSN/MME sets a value, which is a little longer than theperiodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as a mobile reachable timer(Mobile Reachable Timer) for monitoring the subsequent periodic RAU/TAUof the terminal.

Second Embodiment:

If the terminal has attached, the HLR/HSS initiates a modification ofthe subscription data in the SGSN/MME, instructing the SGSN/MME tomodify the periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mobility management method according to thisembodiment includes the following steps:

Step 81: The HLR/HSS sends an Insert Subscriber Data (Insert SubscriberData) message to the SGSN/MME, where the message carries the periodicRAU/TAU setting information.

The periodic RAU/TAU setting information may take any one of thefollowing three ways: a. a multiplication factor of the normal periodicRAU/TAU timer; b. directly giving a specified periodic RAU/TAU timer;and c. an increment value of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 82: The SGSN/MME sends an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) message to the HLR/HSS.

Step 83: The terminal initiates a RAU/TAU Request (RAU/TAU Request) tothe SGSN/MME.

The update type (Update Type) may be a RAU/TAU or a periodic RAU/TAU.

Step 84: The SGSN/MME obtains a periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information.

Being triggered by the RAU/TAU Request of the terminal, the SGSN/MMEexecutes three kinds of possible processing: a. obtaining the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer and multiplying the normal periodic RAU/TAU timerwith the multiplication factor to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer ofthe terminal; b. directly using the specified periodic RAU/TAU timer asthe periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal; and c. obtaining the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer and adding the increment value to the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer to obtain the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal.

Step 85: The SGSN/MME sends a RAU/TAU Accept (RAU/TAU Accept) message tothe terminal, where the message carries the periodic RAU/TAU timer ofthe terminal.

Step 86: The SGSN/MME sets a value, which is a little longer than theperiodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal, as a mobile reachable timer(Mobile Reachable Timer) for monitoring the subsequent periodic RAU/TAUof the terminal.

In the mobility management methods according to the first embodiment andthe second embodiment, the subscription data instructs the SGSN/MME todeliver the special periodic RAU/TAU timer for the terminal, therebyachieving the objective of setting or dynamically modifying the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal, and solving the problemthat the prior art cannot set or dynamically modify the mobilitymanagement frequency of a particular terminal among numerous terminals.

Third Embodiment:

In the attach procedure of the terminal, the SGSN/MME obtains thesubscription data from the HLR/HSS, where the subscription datainstructs the SGSN/MME to deactivate the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal.

As shown in FIG. 9, the mobility management method according to thisembodiment includes the following steps:

Step 91: The terminal initiates an Attach Request (Attach Request) tothe SGSN/MME.

Step 92: The SGSN/MME sends an Update Location (Update Location) messageto the HLR/HSS.

Step 93: The HLR/HSS sends an Insert Subscriber Data (Insert SubscriberData) message to the SGSN/MME, where the message carries a periodicRAU/TAU deactivation indicator.

The periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator may directly indicate thatthe periodic RAU/TAU timer of the terminal is deactivated or that theperiodic RAU/TAU timer is zero. It may be understood that the periodicRAU/TAU deactivation indicator may also be referred to as periodicRAU/TAU deactivation setting information.

Step 94: The SGSN/MME skips the operation of obtaining the normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 95: The SGSN/MME sends an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) message to the HLR/HSS.

Step 96: The HLR/HSS sends an Update Location Ack (Update Location Ack)message to the SGSN/MME.

Step 97: The SGSN/MME sends an Attach Accept (Attach Accept) message tothe terminal, where the message carries the deactivation information ofthe periodic RAU/TAU timer.

The deactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer may takeeither of the following ways: setting the value unit of the periodicRAU/TAU timer to a binary value “111” (timer value unit=111) or settingthe value of the periodic RAU/TAU timer to zero (timer value=0), toindicate that the periodic RAU/TAU timer is deactivated.

Step 98: The SGSN/MME stops the mobile reachable timer (Mobile ReachableTimer) so as to stop monitoring the subsequent periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal.

It is worth noting that if the terminal has attached, the HLR/HSS mayalso initiate the modification of the subscription data in the SGSN/MME,instructing the SGSN/MME to deactivate the periodic RAU/TAU timer of theterminal. The specific procedure may be similar to that of the foregoingsecond embodiment, and is not repeatedly described here.

In addition, if the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal has beendeactivated, when the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal needs to bereactivated, the HLR/HSS may initiate the modification of thesubscription data in the SGSN/MME, instructing the SGSN/MME to activatethe periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. The SGSN/MME may initiate a detachprocedure to instruct the terminal to re-initiate an attach procedure,and activate the periodic RAU/TAU during a subsequent attach procedureof the terminal; or the SGSN/MME may activate the periodic. RAU/TAUthrough a location update procedure initiated by the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 10, an embodiment for activating a periodic RAU/TAU ofa terminal according to the present invention includes the followingsteps:

Step 101: The HLR/HSS sends an Insert Subscriber Data (Insert SubscriberData) message to the SGSN/MME, where the message carries a periodicRAU/TAU activation indicator.

Step 102: The SGSN/MME sends an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) message to the HLR/HSS.

Step 103: The SGSN/MME sends a Detach Request (Detach Request) messageto the terminal, where a detach type indicates that the terminal needsto attach again.

Step 104: The terminal sends a Detach Accept (Detach Accept) message tothe SGSN/MME.

Step 105: The terminal sends an Attach Request (Attach Request) messageto the SGSN/MME.

Step 106: The SGSN/MME obtains the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 107: The SGSN/MME sends an Attach Accept (Attach Accept) message tothe terminal, where the message carries the obtained normal periodicRAU/TAU timer.

Step 108: The SGSN/MME sets a value, which is a little longer than thenormal periodic RAU/TAU timer, as a mobile reachable timer (MobileReachable Timer) for monitoring the subsequent periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal.

As shown in FIG. 11, another embodiment for activating a periodicRAU/TAU of a terminal according to the present invention includes thefollowing steps:

Step 111: The HLR/HSS sends an Insert Subscriber Data (Insert SubscriberData) message to the SGSN/MME, where the message carries a periodicRAU/TAU activation indicator.

Step 112: The SGSN/MME sends an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (InsertSubscriber Data Ack) message to the HLR/HSS.

Step 113: The terminal actively sends a Location Update Request (RAU/TAURequest) message to the SGSN/MME.

Step 114: The SGSN/MME obtains the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 115: The SGSN/MME sends a Location Update Accept (RAU/TAU Accept)message to the terminal, where the message carries the obtained normalperiodic RAU/TAU timer.

Step 116: The SGSN/MME sets a value, which is a little longer than thenormal periodic RAU/TAU timer, as a mobile reachable timer (MobileReachable Timer) for monitoring the subsequent periodic RAU/TAU of theterminal.

In the mobility management method according to the third embodiment, theSGSN/MME is instructed by the subscription data to deactivate theperiodic RAU/TAU of the terminal. As a result, the mobility managementfrequency of a particular terminal may be decreased, and the utilizationof network resources may be improved. In addition, when the periodicRAU/TAU of the terminal needs to be activated, the SGSN/MME isinstructed again by the subscription data to activate the periodicRAU/TAU of the terminal, thereby achieving the objective of setting ordynamically modifying the mobility management frequency of a particularterminal, and solving the problem that the prior art cannot set ordynamically modify the mobility management frequency of a particularterminal among numerous terminals.

For the terminal, as shown in FIG. 12, a mobility management methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention includes thefollowing steps:

Step 121: Receive a periodic RAU/TAU timer from an SGSN/MME, where theperiodic RAU/TAU timer is obtained by the SGSN/MME according to theperiodic RAU/TAU setting information in subscription data; and

Step 122: Execute a periodic RAU/TAU according to the received periodicRAU/TAU timer.

The periodic RAU/TAU setting information in the subscription data mayinclude: a multiplication factor of the normal periodic RAU/TAU timer;or a specified periodic RAU/TAU timer; or an increment value of thenormal periodic RAU/TAU timer.

The terminal may receive the periodic RAU/TAU timer from the SGSN/MME inthe following ways: sending an Attach Request message to the SGSN/MME,and receiving the periodic RAU/TAU timer through an Attach Acceptmessage; or sending a RAU/TAU Request message to the SGSN/MME, andreceiving the periodic RAU/TAU timer through a RAU/TAU Accept message.

And, in order to support a longer RAU/TAU interval than that of theprior art, the code of the value unit of the periodic RAU/TAU timerreceived by the terminal may include: 011, or 100, or 101, or 110, andthe value unit is larger than 6 minutes. For example, the followingdefinitions may be applied: 011 means that the unit is 1 hour, 100 meansthat the unit is 10 hours, 101 means that the unit is 100 hours, and 110means that the unit is 1000 hours; or 011 means that the unit is 1 hour,100 means that the unit is 1 day, 101 means that the unit is 1 week, 110means that the unit is 1 month, and so on.

Based on the mobility management method, as shown in FIG. 13, anembodiment of the present invention also provides a terminal, including:

a timer receiving unit 131, configured to receive a periodic RAU/TAUtimer from an SGSN/MME, where the periodic RAU/TAU timer is obtained bythe SGSN/MME according to the periodic RAU/TAU setting information inthe subscription data; and

a RAU/TAU executing unit 132, configured to execute a periodic. RAU/TAUaccording to the received periodic RAU/TAU timer.

In the mobility management method and the terminal according to theembodiments of the present invention, the terminal receives the periodicRAU/TAU timer that is obtained by the SGSN/MME according to the periodicRAU/TAU setting information in the subscription data, and executes aperiodic RAU/TAU according to the received periodic RAU/TAU timer.Thereby, the mobility management frequency of a particular terminalamong numerous terminals can be set or dynamically modified incooperation with the network.

For the terminal, as shown in FIG. 14, another mobility managementmethod according to an embodiment of the present invention includes thefollowing steps:

Step 141: Receive deactivation information of a periodic RAU/TAU timerfrom an SGSN/MME, where the deactivation information is sent by theSGSN/MME according to a periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator insubscription data.

Step 142: Stop executing a periodic RAU/TAU according to the receiveddeactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer.

The deactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer received bythe terminal includes: the value unit of the periodic RAU/TAU timerindicating that the timer is deactivated; or the value of the periodicRAU/TAU timer that is set to zero.

If the periodic RAU/TAU of the terminal has been deactivated,optionally, the mobility management method according to the embodimentof the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15, may also include thefollowing steps:

Step 151: Receive activation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timerfrom the SGSN/MME, where the activation information is sent by theSGSN/MME according to a periodic RAU/TAU activation indicator insubscription data.

Step 152: Activate the periodic RAU/TAU according to the receivedactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer.

Based on the mobility management method, as shown in FIG. 16, anembodiment of the present invention provides another terminal,including:

a deactivation information receiving unit 161, configured to receivedeactivation information of a periodic RAU/TAU timer from an SGSN/MME,where the deactivation information is sent by the SGSN/MME according toa periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator in subscription data; and

a RAU/TAU stopping unit 162, configured to stop executing a periodicRAU/TAU according to the deactivation information of the periodicRAU/TAU timer received by the deactivation information receiving unit.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 17, the terminal according to theembodiment of the present invention may also include:

an activation information receiving unit 171, configured to receiveactivation information of a periodic RAU/TAU timer from an SGSN/MME,where the activation information is sent by the SGSN/MME according to aperiodic RAU/TAU activation indicator in subscription data; and

a RAU/TAU activating unit 172, configured to activate a periodic RAU/TAUaccording to the activation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timerreceived by the activation information receiving unit.

In the mobility management method and the terminal according to theembodiments of the present invention, the terminal receives thedeactivation information of the periodic RAU/TAU timer that is sent bythe SGSN/MME according to the periodic RAU/TAU deactivation indicator inthe subscription data, and stops executing the periodic RAU/TAUaccording to the received deactivation information of the periodicRAU/TAU timer. Thereby, the mobility management frequency of aparticular terminal among numerous terminals can be set or dynamicallymodified in cooperation with the network.

In summary, the mobility management methods according to the embodimentsof the present invention may be applied in low-mobility machine-typecommunication (Machine-Type Communication, MTC). MTC is a kind of datacommunication and relates to one or more entities not requiring anyinteraction with a natural person. In low-mobility MTC applications,such as a family health monitoring device, an automatic vending machine,a water meter/ammeter, hydrological monitoring, forest fire monitoring,and bridge monitoring, the terminal device is stationary permanently, ormoves infrequently, for example, moving only once a week, or moving onlyin a certain area, such as moving in a cell (Cell), moving in one ormore location areas (Location Areas, LAs)/routing areas (Routing Areas,RAs)/tracking areas (Tracking Areas, TAs). Therefore, the utilization ofnetwork resources may be improved by setting or dynamically modifyingthe mobility management frequency of a particular MTC terminal (orcalled an MTC device) among numerous terminals.

Persons skilled in the art may understand that all or part of steps inthe methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by relevanthardware instructed by a program. The program may be stored in acomputer readable storage medium, such as a ROM/RAM, a magnetic disk,and an optical disk.

The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, butthe protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.Any modification or substitution readily conceivable by those skilled inthe art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the presentinvention shall be covered within the protection scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention issubject to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobility management method, comprising:obtaining, by a Serving GPRS Support Node or Mobility Management Entity(SGSN/MME), subscription data of a terminal from a Home LocationRegister or Home Subscriber Server (HLR/HSS), wherein the subscriptiondata carries periodic routing area update or tracking area updatesetting information; obtaining, by the SGSN/MME, a periodic routing areaupdate or tracking area update timer of the terminal according to theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update settinginformation; sending, by the SGSN/MME, the periodic routing area updateor tracking area update timer of the terminal to the terminal; andsetting, by the SGSN/MME, a value, which is longer than the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer of the terminal, as amobile reachable timer for monitoring a periodic routing area update ortracking area update of the terminal, wherein the periodic routing areaupdate or tracking area update setting information carried in thesubscription data comprises: a multiplication factor of a normalperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer; or aspecified periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer; oran increment value of the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer, and wherein the obtaining the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic routing area update or tracking area updatesetting information comprises: when the periodic routing area update ortracking area update setting information is the multiplication factor ofthe normal periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer,obtaining the normal periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate timer and multiplying the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer with the multiplication factor to obtain theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal; or when the periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate setting information is the specified periodic routing area updateor tracking area update timer, directly using the specified periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer as the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer of the terminal; orwhen the periodic routing area update or tracking area update settinginformation is the increment value of the normal periodic routing areaupdate or tracking area update timer, obtaining the normal periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer and adding theincrement value to the normal periodic routing area update or trackingarea update timer to obtain the periodic routing area update or trackingarea update timer of the terminal.
 2. A serving GPRS support node ormobility management entity, comprising: a subscription data obtainingunit, configured to obtain subscription data of a terminal from a HomeLocation Register/Home Subscriber Server (HLR/HSS), wherein thesubscription data carries periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate setting information; a timer obtaining unit, configured to obtaina periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal according to the periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate setting information; a timer sending unit, configured to send theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal to the terminal; and a setting unit, configured to set a value,which is longer than the periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate timer of the terminal, as a mobile reachable timer for monitoringa periodic routing area update or tracking area update of the terminal,wherein the timer obtaining unit comprises: a first obtaining subunit,configured to obtain, when the periodic routing area update or trackingarea update setting information is a multiplication factor of a normalperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer, the normalperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer and multiplythe normal periodic routing area update or tracking area update timerwith the multiplication factor to obtain the periodic routing areaupdate or tracking area update timer of the terminal; or a secondobtaining subunit, configured to directly use, when the periodic routingarea update or tracking area update setting information is a specifiedperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer, thespecified periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer asthe periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal; or a third obtaining subunit, configured to obtain, when theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update setting informationis an increment value of the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer, the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer and add the increment value to the normalperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer to obtain theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal.
 3. A mobility management method, comprising: obtaining, by aServing GPRS Support Node or Mobility Management Entity (SGSN/MME),subscription data of a terminal from a Home Location Register or HomeSubscriber Server (HLR/HSS), wherein the subscription data carriesperiodic routing area update or tracking area update settinginformation; obtaining, by the SGSN/MME, a periodic routing area updateor tracking area update timer of the terminal according to the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update setting information; andsending, by the SGSN/MME, the periodic routing area update or trackingarea update timer of the terminal to the terminal, wherein the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update setting information carriedin the subscription data comprises: a multiplication factor of a normalperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer; or aspecified periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer; oran increment value of the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer, and wherein the obtaining the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer of the terminalaccording to the periodic routing area update or tracking area updatesetting information comprises: when the periodic routing area update ortracking area update setting information is the multiplication factor ofthe normal periodic routing area update or tracking area update timer,obtaining the normal periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate timer and multiplying the normal periodic routing area update ortracking area update timer with the multiplication factor to obtain theperiodic routing area update or tracking area update timer of theterminal; or when the periodic routing area update or tracking areaupdate setting information is the specified periodic routing area updateor tracking area update timer, directly using the specified periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer as the periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer of the terminal; orwhen the periodic routing area update or tracking area update settinginformation is the increment value of the normal periodic routing areaupdate or tracking area update timer, obtaining the normal periodicrouting area update or tracking area update timer and adding theincrement value to the normal periodic routing area update or trackingarea update timer to obtain the periodic routing area update or trackingarea update timer of the terminal.